Modular entertainment system with movable components

ABSTRACT

A system for playing audio content, visual content, or audio-visual content includes a base panel that incorporates loudspeakers, amplifiers, a display/control surface, charging circuitry for any objects placed upon the display surface, and capacitive sensors to display and control the user interface. Also included are one or more portable units having housings in the shape of aesthetically-pleasing structures. These portable units include data storage components (such as hard disk drives, optical drives, flash memories, etc.) for storing the content to be played, and incorporate electronics within but have no visible controls. As the portable units are placed at any location on the display surface, a GUI automatically appears under and around the units, indicating content, controls, etc. Commands can be entered on the GUI for controlling the transfer of the content from or to the portable units and for controlling the playing of the content by the base panel.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application that claims priority to U.S.application Ser. No. 11/539,081, filed Oct. 5, 2006, which claimsbenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/771,967, filed Feb. 9,2006, both of which such applications are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This relates to a system and method for playing audio content, visualcontent, and audio-visual content by use of a computer and one or moreportable storage units.

BACKGROUND

Component electronics for entertainment systems typically includemultiple, free-standing enclosures that receive power and signals frominterconnection wiring and communicate with other components via cables.Support for numerous components frequently is provided by furniturecalled consoles or entertainment centers. A typical entertainment centermay have open shelving and enclosed shelving for supporting andenclosing the components. Such furniture also frequently provides holesthrough rear panels and through the shelving for accommodating thesignal and power cables associated with the components.

A typical audio entertainment system includes a receiver, an amplifier,an optical storage device player (e.g., a CD or DVD player), a hard diskdrive storage device, a sub-woofer, a plurality of speakers, etc.Receivers often are capable of playing back standard stereo programming(such as standard music CDs, FM broadcasts, etc.) as well assurround-sound for home theaters (such as with DVD's). A receiver canserve as a controller for all of the components, and can process aplurality of independent channels of audio. In some systems two or moreof these components are housed in a combined enclosure. Other systemsare more modular with each component having its own housing.

Generally, each of the components in an entertainment system isrectangular or box-shaped and is interconnected to the other componentsvia a system of cables. Each component typically has one or more knobs,dials, levers, buttons or other electro-mechanical controls foroperation of the system. Regardless of whether the entertainment systemis turned on or off, the purpose or functionality of the box-shapedcomponents with electro-mechanical controls is readily apparent. Thusknown home entertainment systems and devices generally are shaped andbehave like the electronic devices that they are. Regardless of priceand level of sophistication of their design and implementation, thesesystems retain a traditional appliance shape even when not in use.

SUMMARY OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

A system for playing audio content, visual content, or audio-visualcontent is provided. According to one embodiment of the invention, abase panel or computer incorporates loudspeakers, amplifiers, adisplay/control surface, charging circuitry for any objects placed uponthe display surface, and capacitive sensors to display and control auser interface. Also included are one or more portable units havinghousings in the shape of aesthetically-pleasing structures. Theseportable units include data storage components (such as hard diskdrives, optical drives, flash memories, etc.) for storing the content tobe played, and incorporate electronics within but have no visiblecontrols. As the portable units are placed at any location on thedisplay surface, a graphical user interface (GUI) automatically appearsunder and around the units, indicating content, controls, etc. Commandscan be entered on the GUI for controlling the transfer of the contentfrom or to the portable units and for controlling the playing of thecontent by the base panel.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the system comprises amedia player program for playing the content, a computer adapted toexecute the media player program, and a portable unit adapted forwireless communications with the computer. The computer includescircuitry for use in playing the content and a touchscreen displayresponsive to a user input device and in electrical communication withthe circuitry. The touchscreen display has a horizontal display surfaceand is adapted for presenting a graphical user interface (GUI)configured for operation of the computer.

The GUI appears on the touchscreen display in response to the placementof the portable unit on any location on the display surface. Theportable unit, which is controlled by commands entered on the GUI, isadapted to store the content and to wirelessly transfer the content tothe computer.

In another aspect, the portable unit has a housing that is in the shapeof a smooth-edged stone. The portable unit further has noelectro-mechanical control for controlling its operation.

In another aspect, the computer further includes a base unit thatencloses the circuitry, wherein the touchscreen display is mounted onthe base unit. The base unit has no electro-mechanical control forcontrolling the selection of the content to be played or the operationof the portable unit.

In yet another aspect, the portable unit includes either a hard diskdrive, an optical drive, or a flash memory. Alternatively, the portableunit is a portable audio player having a hard disk drive or a flashmemory.

There are additional aspects to the present inventions. It shouldtherefore be understood that the preceding is merely a brief summary ofsome embodiments and aspects of the present inventions. Additionalembodiments and aspects are referenced below. It should further beunderstood that numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can bemade without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thepreceding summary therefore is not meant to limit the scope of theinventions. Rather, the scope of the inventions is to be determined byappended claims and their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent and more readily appreciated from the followingdescription of certain embodiments, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic view of a system including computer forplaying audio content according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2-3 show a touchscreen and a graphical user interface with aportable unit in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a simplified component diagram of the computer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing a method of playing content accordingto an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a method of transferring contentaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated forcarrying out the invention. Reference will be made in detail toembodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustratedin the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer tolike elements throughout. It is understood that other embodiments may beused and structural and operational changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

Previously-known entertainment systems and devices are shaped and behavelike the electronic devices that they are. These systems retain atraditional appliance shape, even when not in use. However, embodimentsof the present invention include elegant control solutions that bypassthe need for elaborate and menu laden controls. An electronicentertainment system in design and function is provided with a level ofsophistication whereby the object appears purely sculptural, theinterface is intuitive, and when not in use, there is no indication ofthe function of the system.

Embodiments of the invention include a computer-based device, such as anactive/intelligent base, for playing audio content, visual content oraudio-visual content. This base incorporates loudspeakers, amplifiers, adisplay/control surface, charging circuitry for any objects place uponthe display surface, and capacitive sensors to display and control theuser interface. Also included are one or more portable units havinghousings in the shape of aesthetically-pleasing structures, such as forexample, the shape of a natural river stone, i.e., a rock or stone withsmooth, curved surfaces and no sharp edges.

These portable units include data storage components (such as hard diskdrives, optical drives, flash memories, etc.), for storing the contentto be played, and incorporate electronics within but have no visiblecontrols. As the portable units (e.g., the “stones”) are placed at anylocation on the display surface of the base, a GUI automatically appearsunder and around the units, indicating content, controls, etc. Theportable units may also easily be picked up and carried by a user toanother location. In one embodiment, a portable unit is an audio playerthat can fit in a user's pocket or purse, etc. When not in use, thesystem takes on a sculptural quality having no obvious electronicfunction, thus providing an aesthetically-pleasing but functionalentertainment system.

The portable units contain the content that is accessed via the base.When a unit is placed in any location on the base display surface, theGUI automatically lights up on the same display under and around theportable unit, displaying controls and content associated with thisunit. The portable units can also communicate with each otherwirelessly, enabling transfer of content from, for example, an opticaldrive in one portable unit to a hard disk drive in another portableunit, or from the hard disk drive to a portable flash memory player inyet another portable unit, etc.

The portable units have no controls on them, and they do not change inappearance when they are being used, except that in some embodiments alogo illuminates from within during use. The logo vanishes when theportable units are dormant, thus making the system appear like asculptural installation.

Because the portable units are movable components that can easily becarried in one hand of a user, they can be manually carried to anotherlocation and used with another base panel located in another room. Theportable units derive their control and power from the base, andtherefore there are no wires, etc. that must be handled by a user.

Referring to FIG. 1, shown is a system 100 for playing audio contentaccording to one embodiment of the invention. Shown is a computer 102, afirst portable unit 104, a second portable unit 106, a third portableunit 108 and a fourth portable unit 110.

The computer 102 is a specialized computer in the form of an audioplayer and is adapted to execute a media player program for playing thecontent. Each of the first, second, third and fourth portable units 104,106, 108, 110 is external to the computer 102 and can wirelesslycommunicate with the computer 102 and with each other. The firstportable unit 104 has a housing 112 in the shape of a smooth-edgedstone, and has no electro-mechanical controls, such as for example, noknobs, dials, levers or buttons, for controlling the operation of thefirst portable unit 104, thus providing an aesthetically-pleasingappearance. The second, third and fourth portable units 106, 108, 110have a similar exterior appearance. However other embodiments includehousings having other shapes or geometries.

The computer 102 includes a base unit 114 that encloses circuitry (notshown) for use in playing the content and for wirelessly controlling theoperation of the portable units 104-110. The computer 102 furtherincludes a touchscreen display 116 responsive to a user input device(such as, for example, a digital pen, a pointer or a user's finger) (notshown) and in electrical communication with the base unit circuitry. Thedisplay 116 is mounted on the base unit 114 and has a horizontal displaysurface 118. The base unit electrical circuitry and the display 116cooperate to present a GUI that is configured for operation of thecomputer 102. Accordingly, the base unit 114 has no electro-mechanicalcontrols, such as for example, no knobs, levers, dials or buttons, forcontrolling the selection of the content to be played or for controllingthe operation of the portable units 104-110.

Each of the portable units 104-110 includes one or more data storagedevices (not shown) for storing the content data, such as for exampleMP3, data files, for use by the computer 102 in playing the content. Thefirst portable unit 104 includes a hard disk drive, the second portableunit 106 includes an optical drive, such as a CD or DVD drive, the thirdportable unit 108 includes a flash memory and the fourth portable unit110 comprises a portable audio player having either a hard disk drive ora flash memory. Each of these portable units 104-110 can wirelesslytransfer the content to each other and to the computer 102, and canwirelessly receive the content from the computer 102.

Each of the portable units 104-110 automatically and wirelesslycommunicates with the computer 102 when the portable unit is placed uponthe horizontal surface 118 of the touchscreen display 116. Power foreach portable unit is obtained from a replaceable battery or from arechargeable battery that can obtain its power from the touchscreen 116or the base unit 114 via inductive coupling.

When the portable units 104-110 are placed on the horizontal displaysurface 118, they can be controlled by the computer 102. The user inputdevice interacts with the touchscreen display 116 to operate the GUIwhereby commands are entered for controlling the portable units 104-110,for selecting the content to be played, etc. Thus, available commandsinclude commands for causing any one of the portable units to wirelesslytransfer the content to any other of the portable units, and to causeany one of the portable units to wirelessly transfer the content to thecomputer 102 or receive the content from the computer 102.

In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-3, a GUI appears into view inresponse to the use of a portable unit, such as one of the portableunits 104-110 of FIG. 1. First, a touchscreen 202, that initially has noportable unit placed on the touchscreen, is initially blank and remainsblank at the instant that a portable unit 204 is placed upon it. (FIG.2) The touchscreen 202 is blank at this point in time, because no usercommand has been entered for a predetermined period of time, or becausethe system has just been powered on. (Alternatively, the touchscreen 202displays a screensaver when the system power is on but no user commandhas been entered for the predetermined period of time.) However, shortlyafter the portable unit 204 is placed on the touchscreen 202, thepresence of the portable unit 204 is automatically detected whereuponthe computer causes a GUI 206 to appear into view. (FIG. 3) In thisembodiment, the GUI 206 includes a plurality of thumbnails 208representing the identity of the available content for playing.

According to yet another embodiment, each portable unit further includesa light that automatically energizes when the portable unit is operatingand automatically deenergizes when the portable unit is dormant. Thelight is located within the housing and causes light waves to travelthrough a translucent portion of the housing having a pattern thereon,such as a company logo, that can be made to appear when the portableunit is operating.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary configuration of the computer 102 oraudio player of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.Referring to FIG. 4, a central processing unit (CPU) 402 executes avariety of processing operations as directed by programs stored in aread only memory (ROM) 404 or loaded from a storage unit 406 into arandom access memory (RAM) 408. The RAM 408 also stores data and so onnecessary for the CPU 402 to execute a variety of processing operationsas required.

The CPU 402, the ROM 404, and the RAM 408 are interconnected via a bus410. The bus 410 further connects an input-output device 412 composed ofa touchscreen interface, an output device composed of a set of speakers414 for example, and the storage unit 406 based on a hard disk drive forexample.

The ROM 404, RAM 408 and/or the storage unit 406 stores operatingsoftware used to enable operation of the computer 102. The storage unit406 transfers information with the CPU 402 to store and deleteinformation. A buffer 416 receives and buffers sequential portions ofstreaming content when received via a network, such as the Internet (notshown) or via other streaming sources. The content is sent to a decoder418 which decodes, and if necessary decrypts, the content prior tosending it to the one or more speakers 414.

The bus 410 is also connected with a drive 420 as required on which amagnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or asemiconductor memory for example is loaded for content data, computerprograms or other data read from any of these recording media beinginstalled into the storage unit 406 or for playing via the speakers 414.Wireless transceiver (Rx/Tx) circuitry 422 is also connected to the bus410 and is used to communicate with a portable unit, such as one of theportable units 104-110 of FIG. 1, as well as other wireless componentsas may be desired for communication with the computer 102.

Although not shown, the portable units, such as the portable units104-110 of FIG. 1, are also configured as special purpose computerswhich have basically a similar configuration as that of the computer 102shown in FIG. 4, except that some of the portable units may not havecertain components, such as a decoder, a buffer, a driver, atouchscreen, speakers (in some instances), etc. As previously mentionedhowever, the portable units are adapted for wireless communications withthe computer 102 and with each other.

While FIG. 4 shows one configuration of the computer 102 in the form ofan audio player panel, alternative embodiments include the computerbeing a general purpose computer, a portable playback device, atelevision or any other type of a computer device, for playing not onlyaudio content, but also visual content or audio-visual content. Forexample, other input/output devices may include a proximity displayscreen, a holographic display or a projector display. A proximitydisplay screen is similar to a touchscreen, but differs in that itaccepts commands from a user's finger or pointer device that is disposedclose to the screen surface but does not touch it. Holographic displaysand projection displays provide a GUI in the air or on a surface of awall or paper, as the case may be. They accept user commands from apointer device or user's finger that is disposed in the same air spaceas is occupied by the projected GUI.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing a method of playing content accordingto an embodiment of the invention. First, a portable unit is placed on ahorizontal display surface of a computer display of a computer. (Step502) The computer causes a GUI to appear on the computer display inresponse to the placement of the portable unit on the horizontal displaysurface. (Step 504) A first command is entered by a user on the GUI(step 506) which causes the portable unit to wirelessly transfer thecontent from the portable unit to the computer. (Step 508) Then, asecond command is entered on the GUI that causes the computer to playthe content. (Step 510)

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a method of transferring content, suchas audio content, visual content or audio-visual content, betweenportable units or devices. A first portable unit is placed on ahorizontal display surface of a computer display. (Step 602) The firstportable unit is adapted for wireless communications with the computer.A GUI is displayed on the computer display in response to the placementof the first portable unit on the horizontal display surface. (Step 604)A second portable unit that is adapted for wireless communications withthe computer is placed on the horizontal display surface. (Step 606) Acommand is entered on the GUI by a user (step 608) which causes thefirst portable unit to wirelessly transfer the content from the firstportable unit to the second portable unit. (Step 610)

Thus disclosed is a system for playing audio content, visual content, oraudio-visual content. According to one embodiment, a base panel orcomputer incorporates loudspeakers, amplifiers, a display/controlsurface, charging circuitry for any objects placed upon the displaysurface, and capacitive sensors to display and control the userinterface. Also included are one or more portable units having housingsin the shape of aesthetically-pleasing structures, such as for example,the shape of a stone having smooth, curved surfaces. These portableunits include data storage components (such as hard disk drives, opticaldrives, flash memories, etc.) for storing the content to be played, andincorporate electronics within but have no visible controls. As theportable units are placed at any location on the display surface, a GUIautomatically appears under and around the units, indicating content,controls, etc. Commands can be entered on the GUI for controlling thetransfer of the content from or to the portable units and forcontrolling the playing of the content by the base panel.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of thepresent invention, it will be understood that many modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit thereof. The claims are intendedto cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope andspirit of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments aretherefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the claimsrather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come withinthe meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are thereforeintended to be embraced therein.

1. A system for playing content wherein the content is one of audiocontent, visual content and audio-visual content, the system comprising:a media player program for playing the content; a computer configured toexecute the media player program; and a first portable unit configuredfor wireless communications with the computer, wherein the computercomprises: circuitry for use in playing the content; and a display inelectrical communication with the circuitry and having a horizontaldisplay surface, wherein the display is configured for presenting agraphical user interface (GUI) configured for operation of the computer,wherein the computer is configured to cause the GUI to appear on thedisplay in response to the placement of the first portable unit on thedisplay surface, wherein the first portable unit is controlled bycommands entered on the GUI, and wherein the first portable unit isconfigured to store the content and to wirelessly transfer the contentto the computer.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer isconfigured to cause the GUI to appear on the display in response to theplacement of the first portable unit on any location on the displaysurface.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is further for usewith a user input device and wherein the display is a touchscreendisplay responsive to the user input device.
 4. The system of claim 1,wherein the first portable unit has a housing and wherein the housing isin the shape of a smooth-edged stone.
 5. The system of claim 1, whereinthe first portable unit has no electro-mechanical control forcontrolling the operation of the first portable unit.
 6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the first portable unit includes a light thatautomatically energizes when the first portable unit is operating andautomatically deenergizes when the first portable unit is dormant. 7.The system of claim 1, wherein the first portable unit comprises one ofa hard disk drive, an optical drive, and a flash memory.
 8. The systemof claim 1, wherein the first portable unit comprises a portable audioplayer.
 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second portableunit configured for wireless communications with the computer, whereinthe computer is configured to cause the GUI to appear on the display inresponse to the placement of the second portable unit on the displaysurface, wherein the second portable unit is controlled by commandsentered on the GUI, and wherein the second portable unit is configuredto store the content and to wirelessly transfer the content to thecomputer.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the computer is configuredto cause the first portable unit to wirelessly transfer the content fromthe first portable unit to the second portable unit.
 11. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the first portable unit comprises one of a hard diskdrive, an optical drive, and a flash memory, and wherein the secondportable unit comprises another one of the hard disk drive, the opticaldrive, and the flash memory.
 12. The system of claim 9, wherein one ofthe first and second portable units comprises a portable audio player.13. A system for playing content wherein the content is one of audiocontent, visual content and audio-visual content, the system comprising:a media player program for playing the content; a computer configured toexecute the media player program; and means for storing the content andfor wirelessly transferring the content to the computer; wherein thecomputer comprises: circuitry for use in playing the content; and meansfor displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) configured for operationof the computer and of the storing means, wherein the computer isconfigured to cause the GUI to appear on the displaying means inresponse to the placement of the storing means on the displaying means.14. A method of playing content, wherein the content is one of audiocontent, visual content and audio-visual content, the method comprising:placing a portable unit on a horizontal display surface of a computerdisplay of a computer, wherein the computer is configured to execute amedia player program for playing the content; displaying a graphicaluser interface (GUI) on the computer display in response to the placingof the portable unit on the horizontal display surface; entering a firstcommand on the GUI for causing the portable unit to wirelessly transferthe content from the portable unit to the computer; and entering asecond command on the GUI for causing the computer to play the content.15. The method of claim 14, wherein the portable unit has noelectro-mechanical control for controlling the operation of the portableunit.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the portable unit comprisesone of a hard disk drive, an optical drive, and a flash memory.
 17. Amethod of transferring content, wherein the content is one of audiocontent, visual content and audio-visual content, the method comprising:placing a first portable unit on a horizontal display surface of acomputer display of a computer, wherein the first portable unit isconfigured for wireless communications with the computer, and whereinthe computer is configured to execute a media player program for playingthe content; displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) on the computerdisplay in response to the placing of the first portable unit on thehorizontal display surface; placing a second portable unit on thehorizontal display surface, wherein the second portable unit isconfigured for wireless communications with the computer; and entering acommand on the GUI for causing the first portable unit to wirelesslytransfer the content from the first portable unit to the second portableunit.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first portable unitcomprises one of a hard disk drive, an optical drive, and a flashmemory, and wherein the second portable unit comprises another one ofthe hard disk drive, the optical drive, and the flash memory.
 19. Themethod of claim 17, wherein one of the first and second portable unitscomprises a portable audio player.